A pair of blonde boys sat side by side under a shady tree with a lupine daemon, eyes shut and expressions intent. One was about twelve years old, already showing the signs of being highly attractive later in life: his hair long and soft, face gently angular, eyes faintly angled. The other, younger and smaller, was more delicate, paler, with hair that curled messily, a less handsome face but with a mouth that would smile quickly. Both wore simple tunics and trousers with a lightly embroidered vests, but it was obvious that the older chose his colors to impress, with brilliant scarlets and sapphires, while the younger simply chose hi favorites, calm grays and blues. The daemon watched them quietly, eyes slightly unfocused as she focused on the living energy around them rather than their actual, physical forms.

Slowly, in front of the younger boy, a spark of light flickered into being, grew into a ball of glowing power, and finally whizzed in a circle around the daemon, who smiled her approval. He opened his eyes, beaming, to meet the fond gaze of his tutor. The light flickered out as his concentration died, and his face fell, but the daemon didn't reprimand him. "Very good, Catame," she said reassuringly. "You held it for longer than last time. Daynoren, now you try, but take your energy from within yourself." Nodding, shutting the single green eye that had opened to watch his brother, the older boy did so, and a much brighter spark appeared before him, dancing around in mid-air. He opened his eyes and held out his hand, bringing the ball of magic to rest over his palm, smiling a smugly as his achievement.

"Excellent, Daynoren. Now put the energy back where you found it." Since Catame's magic had died out, he couldn't do as she asked, but Daynoren frowned a moment in concentration, and the ball of magic broke apart into little wisps like cobwebs waving in the wind, then the reaching ends found his fingers and faded into them until the whole was gone. A few strands disappeared into the air, finding the places in the tree and grass and even the air around them that Catame had drawn from, replacing some of what was lost. Catame watched quietly, smiling proudly at his brother's ability and pleased that his error was being rectified.

The daemon smiled her approval once again and made as if to say more, but the sound of a throat clearing nearby distracted her. All three looked towards the sound. There stood a tall but slight man with dark hair streaked with gray and the same angled, emerald green eyes as the boys. "Daddy!" Catame exclaimed, eyes bright and a smile lighting up his thin face, and started to scramble to his feet, but a look from the somber newcomer quelled him. He sank back down beside Daynoren, who had barely twitched and was regarding his father with a cool expression.

"Yes, Master Danui?" the daemon queried politely.

"Might I enquire as to how much longer this lesson will take?" Darkil Danui's voice was smooth and calm, cool and almost bored.

"As long or as short as you wish it, Master Danui," the daemon answered, then added as an afterthought, "We are at a good pausing point."

"Then I believe I will collect the boys for the day," Darkil said briskly. "Come, Daynoren, Catame. You can continue again tomorrow."

Now permitted, Catame climbed to his feet and approached his father hopefully, but the most he got for his sweet smile was an awkward pat on the head. Daynoren rose, as well, and Darkil led them both towards through the open gates into the courtyard of the manor the three lived in. Catame looked a little disheartened by the lack of affection, but he wouldn't let it ruin the thrill of seeing him home for once. The Danui elder was very rarely at home, usually off in the city or abroad, as if avoiding his offspring. Daynoren didn't mind, but Catame missed him when he was gone, wishing they could actually act like a family once in a while.

Darkil led them into the manor and to a sitting room, where, on one of the padded armchairs by the fireplace, sat one of the Danui aunts, a formidable woman who lived in the dragon city of Sanctuary. She had a hawk-like nose and a pinched mouth, with her black hair pulled back into a tight bun. She was Darkil's sister, and they looked very much alike. Catame was a little afraid of her, but Daynoren gave her the same cool, polite smile he gave his father.

"Well?" said Darkil expectantly, as if they were committing a serious breech of societal rules by remaining silent and still just inside the doorway. "Aren't you going to greet your aunt?"

"Greetings, madam Dana Danui," Catame murmured shyly, bowing slightly and keeping his eyes on the floor.

"Greetings, madam Dana Danui," Daynoren echoed more clearly, his bow more sure and confident than Catame's, though as he rose he gave his brother a furtive but reassuring smile, making Catame relax a little and smile, back.

"Greetings, boys," Dana Danui answered calmly. "Please, come sit, all of you. We have something to discuss, I believe."

Nervously, half-expecting that they somehow done something wrong, Catame approached his aunt and climbed into one of the other chairs by the fire, his own favorite, a squishy blue armchair that was a good bit overstuffed. Daynoren sat down in the faded brown chair beside him with much more grace and less anxiety, and Darkil brought up the rear, standing between the two chairs with a hand on the back of each. Dana looked sternly down her long, narrow nose at the boys. Catame quailed slightly, shoulders hunching and eyes looking shyly up at her through his curly hair, but Daynoren matched her stare for stare, sitting up straight as if he was glared at by formidable city women every day.

Dana cleared her throat and at last broke the silence. "Well, Daynoren, Catame, I have just come from the city with news from there. A new program was put into motion experimentally over the summer, the Bonding Project, and with the favorable results from the first stage, it has been decided that it will proceed with further stages." None of that made any sense to Catame, and he had no idea what this had to do with him and his brother, but he wisely kept silent, watching her nervously. She seemed to expect some sort of response from them, but as Catame had no idea what she was talking about and Daynoren also did not seem inclined to reply, she gave them a superior look and continued. "It has been decided that you two shall travel back to Sanctuary to participate in the further stages of the Bonding Project. We will be leaving again at the end of the week."

Catame's heart seemed to be beating unnaturally quickly. He wasn't sure if this was a reward or a punishment, because he didn't know what this "Bonding Project" was. His eyes darted to Daynoren and back again, but his brother seemed quite calm-- maybe it wasn't a bad thing, Day didn't seem nervous at all. Then again, maybe he didn't know, either, and was just acting as if he weren't concerned. It was definitely something Daynoren would do.

After a moment of awkward silence, Darkil said, tone obviously warring between impatience and, oddly for him, pride: "Aren't you going to thank your aunt? This is a wonderful opportunity, a limited number of people are accepted into this program, you know."

"Thank you," Catame mumbled, twisting his fingers in the hem of his tunic and looking down at his feet. Daynoren's thanks was, again, much steadier.

For a moment there was silence again, and then Dana clapped her hands together once, making Catame jump in surprise and stare at her. She rose, skirts rustling. "Well, Darkil, why don't you show me to my rooms so I can freshen up for supper."

"Of couse, Dana dear," Darkil said. Dana swept past him and he gave the boys a rare smile that seemed to pull uncomfortably at the corners of his small mouth. Catame smiled back with a kind of nervous eagerness, drinking in the sign of affection, and Daynoren nodded with a wry smile of his own in return. Darkil then stalked after his sister, leaving the two alone.

"Do you know what this project thing is?" he asked Daynoren as soon as they were alone, leaning over the fluffy arm of his chair earnestly.

"It sounds familiar," Day answered thoughtfully, and his face finally broke into an excited grin. "I don't even care what it is, though. We're going to the dragon city! I've always wanted to go there, meet all the dragons, visit the cathedrals, maybe even see the dragon lords...." Still wearing an expression of excited pleasure, the older boy rose from his seat and to his feet. Seeing Catame's nervous smile in return to his fierce one, however, his face softened and he patted his brother's hand. "And we'll be together, don't worry. I'll take care of you."

Feeling much happier about their eminent journey at those words, Catame smiled and slid off his own armchair to follow him out.